Chapter 4 Rejection

Rylee

Syd sits frozen, as if rooted to the ground. Silence spreads under the moonlight.

Every werewolf gains the ability to sense their mate on the day they come of age, and I was no exception. This morning, the moment I saw Syd, I felt our mate-bond. But it was weak, and I couldn't smell Syd.

My wolf hasn't come yet.

Syd came of age six months ago. He should have known I was his mate, but he never told me. I can guess the reason easily: my status embarrasses him.

I am the pack's slave, and he is the future Beta.

We don't trust each other; we don't accept each other. That's why our mate-bond is so weak. That's why I can't smell him.

Syd suddenly jumps to his feet. "When did you know?" he asks, his breathing fast. "What... what are you going to do?"

Without waiting for my answer, he paces anxiously. "No, this isn't the time for discussing that. I need to get you out of here first." He crouches down, trying to pick me up. "I heard them talking about selling you, and the buyer is... Alvar Gonzales."

Alpha Alvar, leader of the Dark Moon pack, is known for his brutality. He's bought many sex slaves, but they always end up disappearing. Rumor has it he changes bed partners every night and kills those who don't satisfy him.

So when Anto mentioned he was selling slaves, it was me he meant to sell.

"Never mind. It's not that bad," I say.

"Are you mad? Alvar is a demon. He'll kill you!"

"That's better than being here." I pat Syd's hand which is gripping my arm tightly. "Syd, just let me go. I don't want to be here anymore. I want to leave."

Syd's eyes turn red. He lets go and stares at me, breathing heavily. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, we're not right for each other. I don't want to be here with you..." I say clearly, word for word.

"I'm telling you in advance that I'm rejecting you."

Syd steps back, his eyes now completely red, his hair standing on end, a precursor to shifting. "Rylee Green, you better have an explanation for this," he growls, his fangs showing. "I come to your rescue and you say you're going to turn me down?"

I sigh. "You really don't understand why? Then tell me why you didn't come and claim me when you knew I was your mate six months ago? You knew I was bullied in the pack, and instead of protecting me, you distanced yourself and sometimes bullied me too. You know my daily to-do list is long, yet you let me add more work to your laundry. And why didn't you defend me today when you knew I was wrongly accused?"

"That... that's because..."

I interrupt him, "There aren't that many excuses. You just don't love me! Or rather, your love is too cheap for me to want! Syd, I'm touched you came to save me and gave me gifts, but that doesn't mean I have to accept you and spend the rest of my life with you! We're not from the same world. You don't know what it's like to dip your hands in ice water for a long time. You don't know what it's like to work when you don't have enough to eat. You don't understand what 40 lashes mean to an omega. You don't know anything about me or what I need. Or rather, what I want, you can't give!"

"There are many people in this pack who wish me dead. I'm hurt so badly and might die if I stay. I can't stay here anymore." I struggle to hold myself together and take his hand, pleading, "Syd, for the love of me dying, please, let me go."

In 18 years of living, I've never seen Syd look so vulnerable. He's always high and mighty, impatient, or nasty. Now he looks like he's about to break down and cry.

"So that's what you think..." Syd's voice trembles. "You're right, I don't love you! I hate you! They were right about you! You're just a low, vile monster! How could I let someone like that abandon me!"

He shakes off my hand. "Just remember! I'm the one who dumped you!"

Just before he immediately utters his vow of rejection, I speak quickly, "I, Rylee Green, daughter of Alpha Steve Green of the Greenvale Pack and descendant of the Madonna, reject you, Syd Lee, as my mate."

I recite the oath before quickly scanning the area to formulate a plan to escape. Syd's expression is terrifying, and I suspect he's about to kill me.

Luckily, he just covers his chest in a painful and death glare and doesn't rush to tear me apart. Few seconds later, he says indignantly,

"I, Syd Lee, son of Beta of the Greenvale Pack, accept your rejection."